Science

Careers in mining relating to science include roles in geology, metallurgy and chemistry, as well as scientific research.

Geology

An understanding of rock structure, and mineral formation and occurrence, is essential in the mining industry. This work is at the core of finding economic ore deposits, and determining how best to mine them, using many different methods for gathering data (e.g., drilling core), and interpretation (e.g., 3D modelling). A related field is geophysics, which uses remote-sensing measurement of physical properties (e.g., magnetics, gravity), to find ore deposits and delineate rock structures. Geochemistry is the study of mineralised rocks, including the chemical signatures that help identify ore bodies, and their quality (e.g., of coal).

Metallurgy and chemistry

In a metal mine, the type of mineralisation will affect the method of processing the ore. Every mine is slightly different in this respect, with some posing a serious challenge, e.g., for turning tungsten-bearing minerals into tungsten, or separating titanium by-product from ironsands. Rock and mineral chemistry is the discipline, and metallurgy is a sub-set. In the case of coal, every occurrence has different levels of impurities (e.g., water, ash, sulphur), and physical properties (e.g., hard or soft, as coke for steel-making).This is modern-day alchemy!

Scientific research

All exploration and mining activity is based on good science, be it publicly or privately funded. Minerals formation and occurrence, and improving the odds of detecting minerals in economic concentrations are one focus. Another is science on the environmental impacts of mining, and how best to manage them. A third field has an engineering slant, aimed at developing better technologies for extracting minerals at greater depths and in more complex geology, safely and cost-effectively.

Latest News

Govt's head in (iron) sand over mining ban

*The NZ Herald - January 2019*
The great Greek historian Thucydides had a dim view of
politicians. In the fifth century B.C. he wrote: “Some
legislators only wish to vengeance against a
particular enemy . . . They devote very little time on the
consideration of...

Blackwater Gold Mine Permit a Welcome Boost for West Coast

Straterra, New Zealand’s minerals sector industry
organisation, has welcomed the decision from
government agency New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals to
grant Tasman Mining a mining permit for the
high-grade Blackwater gold deposit near Reefton.
“There is still much work to be done to establish the
Blackwater prospect as...

Why mining must play a part in New Zealand’s future

*Hauraki Straterra letter - Waihi Leader Sept 2018*
Forest & Bird head Kevin Hague recently came out with some
advice for West Coasters, pretty well advising them to give
up on mining, claiming “a thriving West Coast economy in
the future has to embrace...